Install Secure Latches and Small Mesh Wire

Fit all cage and pen doors with predator-proof latches such as spring-loaded slide bolts or carabiners. Use 1/2" hardware cloth on every opening, including floor, walls, and ceiling. Inspect the entire enclosure monthly for rust holes, loose staples, or gaps wider than 1/2 inch.

Why It Works

Raccoons can manipulate simple hook-and-eye or twist latches within seconds. Weasels and snakes can enter through gaps as small as 1 inch, and rats through 1/2-inch openings. Hardware cloth rated at 1/2" blocks virtually all common backyard predators while keeping quail contained. Two-step latches defeat raccoon dexterity.

Tips

• Use two different latch types on the same door for redundancy against raccoons
• Secure hardware cloth with screws and washers rather than staples, which predators can pry loose
• Run a nightly perimeter check for the first two weeks after setup to identify attempted entry points